How to Find/Change the Location of Outlook PST File (For Outlook 2007/2010/2013/2016)

Microsoft Outlook saves a PST file that contains various important elements, such as calendar events, emails, inbox, sent items, and so on. PST stands for Personal Storage Table, and it's crucial to back it up since it contains significant data.

But, how can you back it up if you can't find it? In this article, we will discuss how to locate the Outlook PST file location. Once found, you can then proceed to back up and restore your Outlook. Let's get started finding where this Outlook file is located.

# 1 Overview of Outlook PST Files Outlook PST (Personal Storage Table) files are a data storage format used in Microsoft Outlook to save users' emails, contacts, calendar events, tasks, notes, and other essential data. PST files are local files that enable users to access their Outlook data offline. Here are some key points about Outlook PST files: ## 1.1 PST File Structure PST files have a hierarchical structure similar to a file system, containing various folders to organize emails and other items. Each item, like an email, has its attributes and metadata for ease of search and management. ## 1.2 File Size and Versions There are two versions of PST files: ANSI and Unicode. The ANSI version is for older Outlook editions and has a maximum file size of around 2 GB. The Unicode version (introduced with Outlook 2003) supports larger sizes, up to 50 GB or varying based on settings. ## 1.3 Storage and Backup Since PST files are stored locally on the computer, users can easily back up or move their data. However, this also means data can be lost if the computer fails. Regularly backing up PST files is crucial. ## 1.4 Data Recovery and Repair When PST files become damaged or encounter issues, built-in Outlook tools such as "Scan PST" or third-party software can be used to attempt repair. In some cases, professional data recovery services might be required. ## 1.5 Risks and Security PST files can be vulnerable to virus attacks, accidental deletion, or unauthorized access. To safeguard data security, it's advisable to protect PST files with strong passwords and keep the operating system and antivirus software up to date. ## 1.6 Importing and Exporting Users can import PST files into Outlook to transfer data between accounts or when upgrading from an older Outlook version to a newer one. Similarly, data can be exported to PST files for backup purposes or sharing across different devices. In summary, Outlook PST files are a vital tool for managing and storing personal emails and other data. Understanding how they work and how to utilize them effectively is valuable for any Outlook user.

To ensure smooth functioning, Microsoft Outlook employs multiple storage and profile formats. One such format is the PST (Personal Storage Table) file, which, as the name implies, serves as a personal data storage table. This file contains all the user's personal data, as mentioned earlier, including:

This includes: * E-mails, in inbox, outbox, and draft folders; * Calendars and appointments; * Tasks, both scheduled and pending; and * Other data related to the user's profile.

Depending on the user type, this file is typically stored on computer or server storage. Many organizations set up permissions that only allow administrators to access PST files. However, in most cases, the location of an Outlook PST file is on a computer that has Microsoft Outlook installed.

More information about backing up Outlook? The article below might be just what you need:</span>

How to locate Outlook PST file location?

Finding the location of an Outlook PST file is pretty straightforward. However, it may be a bit different for users running older versions of Windows, such as Windows 7, 8, or earlier builds of Windows 10, like Build 1507.

However, you don't have to stress over the local Microsoft Outlook AppData folder. You can easily locate your Outlook files by doing the following:

Step 1: Open Microsoft Outlook on your computer.

Step 2: Click File.

Step 3: Tap Account Settings, which opens a menu.

Step 4: Click on Account Settings again.

Step 5: Go to the Data Files tab.

Next up, just translate this into American English:

Step 6: Review the location of your Outlook data file, then click Open File Location….

Step 7: Check the files in the folder.

Once you locate the Outlook PST file, you can easily copy and paste it to any location of your choice for a custom backup. This file contains all the crucial data of your Outlook profile. Hence, finding the Outlook files' location ensures that you can create a backup effortlessly.

How to Change/Move the Outlook PST File Location

There are several ways to change or move the Outlook PST file location. One common option is to modify the PST file location from within the Microsoft Outlook account settings. Another method involves using the Registry. Here's how:

Step 1: Open Outlook.

Step Two: Go back to Account Settings.

Step 3: This time, stay on the Email tab.

Step 4: Click on “Change folder”.

Step 5: Choose the location where you want to save the PST file, and then click Close.

This will ensure that new files save to your chosen location. However, you can also accomplish this with the Registry Editor. Here's how:

Step 1: Press Win + R, then type Regedit.

Step 2: Copy and paste the following location into the Registry Address bar.

"HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook"

Step 3: Right-click anywhere, select New, and then click String Value.

Scalable string value

Step 4: Name the entry ForcePSTPath.

Next up, just translate this into American English:

Step 5: Right-click the ForcePSTPath entry, and then click Modify.

Step 6: In the next dialog box, type or paste the new location of the PST file.

<img src="/images/en/screenshot/todo-backup/guide/outlook-pst-file-location-12.png" alt="Paste new file location" width="700" height="290">

Step 7: Click “OK,” and then close the Registry Editor.

After doing this, you'll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Once that's done, the new path that you entered will be the default PST file location for MS Outlook 2016 or your version.

Back up Your Outlook PST File for Safety

The last but most important step is to protect your PST file by creating a backup. So, you need a professional tool to help you back up PST files, and we recommend using Todo Backup.

This particularly reliable tool allows you to create full, incremental, and differential backups, thus making it easy and fast to save your files, as well as helping you back up your emails, as described in How to Backup and Restore Your Thunderbird Profile. But how do you use it to back up Outlook PST files? Follow these instructions:

Step 1. Download and install Todo Backup on your computer. Click “Create Backup” on the main interface.

Step 2 >> You'll need to back up your app data, so tap on “Apps data.”

Select the data to backup

3. All the apps that can be backed up will appear on the screen (Outlook is currently supported, and we're adding more apps all the time, such as game progress, Thunderbird mail, Gmail, Microsoft 365 apps, and so on). Scroll down to find the app you want to back up, then click OK.

Select the app data you want to back up.

4. Choose a location to save your backup. We recommend using a cloud service, a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, or an external hard drive to protect against computer failure or crashes.

5. Click on the "Options" button to set up custom backups. You can choose to schedule backups daily, weekly, monthly, or on specific events, and also set up differential or incremental backups as needed.

6. When you're done, click "Back Up Now" to start the backup. This will take as long as it takes to copy all of your data, but shouldn't be too lengthy a process.

Frequently Asked Questions About Outlook PST File Location

Where is the Outlook PST file in Windows 10?

In most versions of Windows 10, Outlook PST files are stored in the same location as other files. You can get there by going to Outlook's “Account Settings,” or you can copy and paste this address into the Explorer address bar:

"C:\Users\Admin\Documents\Outlook Files"

Either way will get you to your PST file in Windows 10.

2. What is a PST file and where is it stored?

A PST file stands for Personal Storage Table, and it stores user profile data such as messages, calendar events, and other personal information in Microsoft Outlook. It is typically located in the Documents\Outlook Files folder.

3. Why Can't I Find My PST File?

It might be that your PST file is corrupted. Therefore, you need to use a backup. If you don't have one, try to restore an older version of the PST file to minimize the effects of the corrupted PST.